Magnetic latch connector assembly

ABSTRACT

A connector is configured to electrically connect a plasma emitter array with an identification chip to a power supply controller, and to further mechanically support the emitter device supporting the array during use. Cooperating components of the connector and emitter device form a magnetic latch assembly: the connector includes one or more magnets flush with a top receiving surface of the connector, and one or more alignment pegs extending outward from the receiving surface; the emitter device includes a steel plate attached to a substrate, and one or more holes disposed through the plate and the substrate. The holes align with the alignment pegs and the magnets attract the plate and secure the emitter device against the top receiving surface. Electrical contacts of the connector establish electrical communication with the identification chip, providing power to the emitter device and enabling the controller to read data stored in the identification chip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage of PCT Application No.PCT/US2018/047800 filed on Aug. 23, 2018 which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/549,351, filed under the sametitle on Aug. 23, 2017, and incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device used to drive non-thermalplasma emitters and control the emitted plasma for use in plasmamedicine including therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

BACKGROUND

Plasma is an ionized state of matter known for its cleaning,decontaminating, sterilizing, antimicrobial, and healing properties whenapplied to an inanimate surface or to tissue. Plasma can be created whenenergy is applied to a substance. As energy input is increased the stateof matter changes from solid, to liquid, to a gaseous state. Ifadditional energy is fed into the gaseous state, the atoms or moleculesin the gas will ionize and change into the energy-rich plasma state, orthe fourth fundamental state of matter.

There are two types of plasma, thermal and non-thermal, which is alsoknown as cold plasma. Thermal plasmas are in thermal equilibrium, i.e.the electrons and the heavy particles are at the same temperature.Current technologies create thermal plasma by heating gas or subjectingthe gas to a strong electromagnetic field applied with a generator. Asenergy is applied with heat or electromagnetic field, the number ofelectrons can either decrease or increase, creating positively ornegatively charged particles called ions. Thermal plasma can be producedby plasma torches or in high-pressure discharges. If thermal plasma isused in treating a material or surface sensitive to heat, it can causesignificant thermal desiccation, burning, scarring and other damage.

In order to mitigate such damage, methods and devices have been createdfor applying non-thermal plasma to heat-sensitive materials andsurfaces. Whereas in thermal plasmas the heavy particles and electronsare in thermal equilibrium with each other, in non-thermal plasmas theions and neutrals are at a much lower temperature (sometimes as low asroom temperature) than the electrons. Non-thermal plasma usually canoperate at less than 104.degree. F. at the point of contact. Thusnon-thermal plasmas are not likely to damage human tissue.

To create non-thermal plasma, a potential gradient is applied betweentwo electrodes. Typically the electrodes are in an environment of afluid such as helium, nitrogen, heliox, argon, or air. High voltage isapplied between the two electrodes and a gas mixture, such as helium andoxygen, is flowed through the holes of the electrodes. When thepotential gradient is large enough, a plasma is ignited in the gapbetween the electrodes and a plasma plume discharged through theaperture of the outer electrode and into the surrounding room air. Theplume can be used to treat surfaces by scanning it across the surface.

Some non-thermal plasma generation systems require a source of forced(i.e., pressurized) gas to drive the plasma emitters. Such systems canbe very large and cumbersome, requiring the use of gas tanks to supplythe necessary fluid to create the plasma. Another disadvantage is thatthere is only a narrow contact point between the plasma plume and thesurface that it comes into contact with. Typically, plumes are usuallyon the order of 1 cm in diameter. This makes treating larger areastime-consuming and tedious, since the contact point has to be moved backand forth across the area to be treated. The uniformity of treatmentacross the treatment area may be difficult to control.

The application of non-thermal plasma in medical, therapeutic, andcosmetic modalities has recently been a fruitful field of research. Thebeneficial health effects of non-thermal plasma applications in livingorganisms are often attributed to reactive oxygen or nitrogen species.Non-thermal plasma may be placed in contact with an affected area of theskin or body in order to produced healthful benefits. These benefits canbe realized or enhanced by applying the non-thermal plasma according toa treatment protocol designed to treat a particular malady or produce aparticular benefit; such protocols, which may specify parameters such ascurrent amplitude, modulation of the plasma at certain frequencies, andduration and repetition of treatment, continue to be developed as newand refined applications are researched.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of a plasma array emitter.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional partial side view of the plasma arrayemitter of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is an isometric top-rear view of an example connectorimplementing a magnetic latch assembly in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2B is an exploded isometric top-rear view of the connector of FIG.2A.

FIG. 2C is an isometric top-front view of a top half of the connector ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of an example plasma emitter device implementing amagnetic latch assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a left side view of the plasma emitter device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the plasma emitter device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an isometric top-rear view of an example magnetic latchassembly formed between the connector of FIG. 2A and the plasma emitterdevice of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is a right side cross-sectional view of the connector, plasmaemitter device, and magnetic latch assembly taken along line 5-5 of FIG.4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Non-thermal plasmas occur when the electrons are in a much moreenergetic state than the neutral or positively charged particles. Theapplication of non-thermal plasma to biological specimens has recentlybeen an area of increasing interest. Numerous published papers havenoted positive biological effects imparted by non-thermal air plasma.The health effects observed in living organisms are often attributed toreactive oxygen or nitrogen species produced as byproducts of the plasmageneration. A closer investigation of the effects imparted by an arrayof micro-plasmas placed near the skin shows that the parameters of theplasma application, such as modulation frequency, duration, or area ofapplication may be important for different therapeutic benefits.Furthermore, specific modulation frequencies have been correlated withthe killing of specific microorganisms, including forms of bacteria,virus, fungus, and mold.

One application of plasma utilizes an array of non-thermal air plasmaplumes. A non-thermal plasma device may have a plurality of plasmaemitting electrodes disposed on a rigid or semi-rigid substrate of anappropriate size or shape for the target area. The array of electrodescan be used to apply non-thermal plasma treatments in a uniform mannerto a specific treatment area. The array may be driven by a power supplythat operates at high voltage, and a controller for precisely emittingplasma at desired frequencies and power levels based on the type andarea of treatment. The array may be consumable/disposable, as describedbelow, while the controller and power supply generally are not; aninterface between the array and the controller/power supply that allowsthe array to be disconnected and replaced is needed. This inventionprovides a quick connect interface between a plasma array and a powersupply controller, using a magnetic latch to secure the array to theconnector and seat corresponding sets of electrical contacts on theconnector and the array in communication with each other. The connectormay have an interlock mechanism that prevents incorrect attachment of anarray and other unsafe usage of the plasma device. Further, through theconnector's electrical contacts, the controller can read data stored onthe array to identify important metadata about the array being used andprovide customization features such as preprogrammed protocols, uselimitations, and array verification.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an example array 100 comprises a substrate102 having at least two opposing surfaces, referred to herein sometimesas a top and bottom for convenience. A plurality of through-holes 118are made in the substrate 102. A plurality of drive electrodes 110 areplaced on the top of the substrate 102, with each drive electrode 110centered over one through-hole 118 in the substrate 102. A plurality ofground electrodes 108 is placed on the bottom of the substrate 102, witheach ground electrode 108 centered over one through-hole 118 in thesubstrate 102. The resulting structure of a through-hole 118, a groundelectrode 108, and a drive electrode 110 comprises a plasma emitter 107.The emitters 107 are arranged such that when the array 100 is connectedto a voltage source the emitters generate a plurality of non-thermalplasma corona discharges. The discharges generate ionized gas, which inturn creates reactive species including ozone and nitric oxide.

The substrate 102 is typically made of a dielectric material such asalumina, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyester,polytetrafluoroethylene-infused woven glass cloth, polypropylene,glass-reinforced epoxy laminate sheets, or similar. In certainembodiments a substrate may have more than one layer, and the layers maybe made of different materials. The substrate 102 can be made of a rigidor a flexible material that can be made to conform to varying surfacetopography and shapes such as a rough, textured, or a smooth surface.The substrate can be two-dimensional, such as a square, curved,rectangular, round, or hexagonal. It can also be three-dimensional suchas curved, cubic, tubular, or spherical. The substrate may also have anon-uniform shape or a non-symmetric shape. Substrates of rigidmaterials may be shaped to the desired conformation before or after theplasma emitters are made therein. Substrates of flexible materials aretypically conformed to the desired shape after the array ismanufactured.

Using mass manufacturing techniques, the cost of making the arrays issmall enough that the arrays can generally be considered consumable ordisposable, simply thrown away or recycled after one or a few uses. Anypolymer in the array is consumed by the oxygen plasma, in a processcommonly known as ashing. This erosion process can be slowed by adding athin layer of glass on top of the entire array. A sol-gel process can beused to deposit a layer of desired thickness, on the order of about a100 nm. A thinner crystalline layer of SiO2, Al2O3 or Y2O3 works too,and may be deposited by atomic layer deposition or plasma assistedatomic layer deposition, optionally after array burn-in for uniformplasma. These methods may cause an increase in manufacturing complexityand cost, and ultimately only slow the effects of ashing rather thanpreventing it outright. The non-thermal plasma array may inherently havea limited therapeutic lifetime due to the degradation of the polymermaterial, the potentially custom shapes or sizes used for differenttherapeutic protocols, length of plasma therapy treatments, or otherfactors.

To create the plasma, a high voltage is applied to one or more driveelectrodes 110 on the substrate 102. The voltage may be supplied by apower supply, sometimes also referred to herein as a driver. It createsa high voltage at a high frequency. With the drive electrodes 110 at ahigh potential relative to the ground electrode 108, current flowsthrough the drive electrodes 110 and through a fluid in the through-hole118 and around the array. The fluid is ionized to create a plasma regionaround each drive electrode 110, ground electrode 108, or both. The ionsfrom the ionized fluid pass a charge to a plurality of ground electrodes108 or to an area of lower potential. In a preferred embodiment thepower supply drives and controls an array 100 of non-thermal plasmaemitters at desired frequencies at a controlled power level. The powersupply controls the functionality of the array 100 such as time on/off,strength of plasma, strength of a plasma field from electrode toelectrode, frequency, power level, and other similar parameters.

In addition to causing generation of the non-thermal plasma, it isdesirable for the power supply controller to be able to control theplasma so that it can be used for beneficial purposes. Such parametersthat must be controlled include the length of time the plasma isgenerated, the power level of the plasma, and frequency modulation andwave form of the plasma. Specific modulation frequencies are correlatedto the killing of specific microorganisms, including forms of bacteria,virus, fungus, and mold. Therefore controlling such parameters isimportant to produce biological effects beyond those produced by thereactive species ozone and nitric oxide. To ensure the emitted plasmameets desired parameters and a user of the plasma device is followingthe proper protocol, it would be useful to limit the emissions to thedesired parameters and by authorized persons. For example, a prescribedtreatment protocol provided by a physician, pharmacist, or clinician,much like a conventional prescription for medicines used with other drugdelivery devices, may be encoded into machine-readable data accessibleby the controller, and the controller may be programmed to execute theprotocol (and to otherwise prevent use of the device, in someembodiments). In another example, the array may have an ID chip oranother identifying device that the controller may be programmed toprocess in order to confirm that the array is a valid array (e.g., thearray meets a certification standard, or bears a manufacturer'swatermark, or is associated with the user or the user's physician).

Referring to FIGS. 2A-C, a magnetic latch connector assembly, or“connector” 200, provides mechanical and electrical interfaces between apower supply/controller and a removable plasma array of a non-thermalplasma device. In various embodiments, the power supply and/orcontroller is connected by wire (i.e., electric cable 205) or wirelesslyto the magnetic latch connector assembly, which serves as aquick-connect system for connecting plasma arrays to the power supply.FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an isometric view showing the top, rear, andside of an example embodiment of one portion of the connector 200.Connector 200 may include a hollow casing that encloses an interiorspace for housing electronic and magnetic components. The casing may bea plastic or similar material, and in some embodiments may be a3D-printed polymer. In one embodiment a lower piece 251 and upper piece253 may be joined along a seam 250 to form the casing of the connector200. Fasteners or an adhesive may secure the lower piece 251 and upperpiece 253 together. Planar face 213 and planar face 217 on the top ofconnector 200 are parallel but not coplanar, being separated by a smallperpendicular distance forming face 215. Face 215 serves to divide theconnector into a front section 219 and a thicker rear section 221. FIG.2C is an alternate view of the upper piece 253 of connector 200, moreclearly depicting planar face 215. Connector 200 is configured toreceive a planar face of a plasma emitter array, with one face of thearray lying coincident to face 213 and a bottom edge of the arraycoincident with planar face 215, as shown further below. The connector200 may further include other faces and structures that facilitateconnection and/or retention of various components of the connector 200and/or a plasma emitter array. For example, an aperture 230 and a recess232 may be formed into face 213; the aperture 230 may receive a chipreader 211 as described below, and the recess 232 may be positioned(i.e., proximally from the aperture 230) to receive a memory chipattached to and projecting from the interfacing surface of the plasmaemitter array.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, three alignment pegs 201 a, 201 b, 203 extendupward from planar face 213 to lie coplanar with face 217 of connector200. Pegs 201 a, 201 b, 203 align the connector with a plasma emitterarray, to be described in more detail below. In some embodiments, pegs201 a and 201 b may have a different circumference to ensure properarray orientation on the connector. Two neodymium magnets 207 arefastened within the enclosed space (not shown) of the connector 200. Insome embodiments, the magnets 207 may be attached by epoxy or anothersuitable adhesive; additionally or alternatively, the magnets 207 may bebuilt to a custom shape so as to be held in place (i.e., via frictionfit or overmolding) by plastic receiving structures of the connector200. Appropriately sized holes in planar face 213 expose a top surfaceof each magnet 207, the top surface being coplanar with face 213. At therespective top surfaces, the magnets 207 engage a magnetic surface ofthe plasma array to secure the array to the connector 200. An electronicchip reader 211, which will be described in further detail below, ispositioned in connector 200. In some embodiments, electronic chip reader211 may include spring socket electrical contacts 223 that extendslightly upward above face 213 and, when a plasma array is attached tothe connector 200, bias against cooperating electrical contacts of theplasma array. An electronic cable 205 connected to electronic chipreader 211 within the enclosed area extends from connector 200 andattaches to a plasma power supply. A conductive solid or threaded coreof the cable 205 may electrically connect to the contacts 223,completing the electrical communication path from the controller/powersupply through the contacts 223 to the connected plasma array. A seriesof ridges 209 extend upward from face 217 a short distance, creating atextured area on the rear 221 of the connector 200 to facilitategripping of the connector 200. Within the enclosed space of connector200 is a steel pole plate 237 (see FIGS. 2B and 5 ) that is attached toan interior bottom surface. The pole plate 237 circulates the magneticflux so as to increase the magnetic pull of the latch. The pole plate237 also keeps the magnetic field self-contained to ensure the magneticfield doesn't interfere with the plasma generation or modulation.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate an example embodiment of a plasma emitter device300 that removably attaches to the present connector (i.e., connector200 of FIGS. 2A-B). In some embodiments, the plasma emitter device maybe comprised of plasma emitter array 301 and steel (or other suitableferritic metal) plate 303. Holes 305 a, 305 b, and 307 extend throughboth plasma emitter array 301 and steel plate 303. Steel plate 303 isattached to a top face of plasma emitter array 301, and may be attachedby an adhesive material that will not electrically or magneticallyinteract with the operation of the plasma emitting array. Attachableplasma emitter device 300 is configured to attach to connector 200illustrated in FIG. 2A by magnetic attraction between neodymium magnets207 and steel plate 303. The substrate of plasma emitter array 301 isinherently thin and flexible due to its material composition. Inaddition to providing a means for attaching the plasma emitter array toconnector 200, steel plate 303 also provides additional structuralrigidity to prevent damage to the array components through over flexing.Each of the holes 305 a, 305 b, 307 may cooperate with a correspondingalignment peg 201 a, 201 b, 203 on the connector 200 so that the holes305 a, 305 b, 307 align with the pegs 201 a, 201 b, 203 and allow theplasma emitter device 300 to attach (via magnetic interface) to theconnector 200. In some embodiments, the holes 305 a-b, 307 align withthe pegs 201 a-b, 203 only when the plasma emitter device 300 iscorrectly oriented with respect to the connector 200.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of the bottom surface of plasma emitter array301 that lies coincident to connector 200. In this embodiment, theplasma emitter array 301 includes identification chip 601. Theidentification chip can be configured to contain a number of importantinformation regarding patient data and non-thermal plasma parameters fortherapy. Identification chip 601 may comprise a printed circuit board603 including electronic components such as resistors, transistors, orother components that form an electric circuit. Electrical contacts 605communicate information from identification chip 601 to anidentification chip reader. When the plasma emitter device 300 andconnector 200 are in the closed position, as depicted in FIG. 4 , theelectrical contacts 605 on identification chip 601 will align with anidentification chip reader on the connector. Referring to FIG. 2A,identification chip reader 211 on connector 200 will be aligned flushwith identification chip 601, such that electrical contacts 605 onidentification chip 601 and electrical contacts 223 on identificationchip reader 211 are in contact. Identification chip reader 211 maycomprise a printed circuit board containing electronic components thatelectronically connect to cable 205 within the enclosed space ofconnector 200 and contains electronic contacts on an opposite side tointerface with identification chip 601. In the closed position, themagnetic latch connector assembly device may retrieve patientinformation, authentication data, or plasma therapy protocols fromidentification chip 601 and communicate the information through thespring socket electrical contacts on identification chip reader 211 andcommunicate the information to a power supply controller through cable205. Spring socket electric contacts 223 may extend upward fromconnector 200 to ensure good electrical contact between identificationchip 601 and identification chip reader 211.

An example embodiment of plasma emitter device 300 attached to connector200 is depicted in FIG. 4 . This figure depicts an isometric viewshowing the top, front, and side of an example embodiment of themagnetic latch connector assembly 400. The bottom face of plasma array301 is coincident with a top face of connector 200. Holes 305 a, 305 b,and 307 in plasma emitter device 300 are sized appropriately andconcentrically aligned with alignment pegs 201 a, 201 b, and 203,respectively, on the connector 200. When the holes in device 300 arealigned with pegs on connector 200, the neodymium magnets containedwithin connector 200 magnetically attract steel plate 303 to removablyfasten the plasma emitter device 300 to connector 200 in a closedposition, with the bottom face of plasma emitter array making coincidentcontact with a top surface of the connector 200. In some embodiments,the alignment pegs 201 a-b, 203 guide the plasma emitter device 300 intoproper alignment for connection, so that the electrical contacts on theconnector 200 establish electrical communication with the electricalcontacts on the plasma emitter device 300 (see FIG. 3C).

FIG. 5 is an internal side view of the magnetic latch connector assembly400 in the closed (i.e., attached) position. Steel plate 303, neodymiummagnet 207, and steel plate 501 located in the enclosed space ofconnector 200 forms a magnetic circuit. The thickness of steel plate 303and steel plate 501 and the arrangement of the poles of neodymium magnet207 are configured so the magnetic circuit is self-shielding, so as notto interfere with the operation of the electronic circuit that producesthe plasma or the healing process when the device is in operation.

The quick connect configuration of magnetic latch connector assembly 400will aid in the efficiency and streamline the delivery of plasmatherapies. The power supply controller is a reusable, relatively highcost device, particularly as related to a plasma array. It may be usedin a clinical setting for delivering different plasma therapy protocolsto a number of patients, or possibly for home use to provide plasmatherapy to a single patient that exceeds the lifetime of a plasmaemitter. It is contemplated that a single controller may be used by adoctor or other medical professional to deliver a number of plasmatherapies throughout the course of a day.

In an example embodiment the identification feature is a chip encodedwith an embedded code that acts as an authentication handshake between aplasma emitter array and connector to make sure that only authorizedarrays are used with a given power supply.

The connector may communicate settings for power, modulation details andtime of a desired treatment from the plasma emitter array to the powersupply controller. The identification chip reader on a connector mayinclude an identification feature that is ensures that the power supplycontroller is being used with an array of the appropriate size or shapefor the desired treatment or patient. The power supply controller,identification chip, and identification chip reader may be configured ina number of ways to do so.

In general, a prescriber may connect an identification chip on a plasmaemitting array to a computing device. A software application running onthe computing device performs authentication of the plasma emitter arrayusing the identification chip. The software application may load patientdata, such as required frequency, power, or therapy durationinformation, and programs the “prescription” on the identification chipon the plasma emitter array. When the plasma emitter array is connectedto the magnetic latch connector assembly, the identification chip readerin the connector is able to authenticate the plasma array and transmitpatient data and specifications of the array, such as size and type, tothe power supply controller.

Data regarding the power supply controller parameters recorded duringtherapeutic treatments may be transmitted through the identificationchip reader on the connector to the identification chip on the plasmaarray for uploading to a computing device after the treatment. This datacan be used post-treatment to determine efficacy and to verify that theprescription was properly applied.

In one embodiment prescribers may download prescriptions and uploadtreatment data from a central database rather than entering themdirectly. For example, a mobile computing device may be connected to anarray. A central database accessible to the mobile computing device mayfunction as a physician's prescription book which containsauthentication codes registered to, for example, a physician, clinician,pharmacist or pharmacy. In this manner a prescription can be downloadedand applied to the identification chip of a plasma array. When theplasma array is then connected to a connector, the identification chipreader authenticates the array and communicates the prescription to thepower supply controller. This example embodiment may enable home-use ofplasma arrays for therapies, and the analogous idea of “refilling” aprescription. Alternatively, it could be used by physicians or patientsin remote areas.

In another embodiment, the array will work only if the identificationchip on the plasma emitter array matches the identification chip readeron the connector. For example, a programmed connector may be paired witha plasma emitter array to be given to a patient by a physician, with thepatient's prescription loaded on the identification chip on the plasmaemitter array. The patient then attaches the connector to a power supplycontroller to apply therapeutic non-thermal plasma in a home setting. Inthis embodiment, power supply controllers may be sold with noprescription over the counter, and preprogrammed plasma emitter arraysmay be acquired with a prescription when needed. Physicians orpharmacists may then program a connector directly with customizedprotocols or they may program them with common protocols stored in acentralized prescription database. The identification chip reader on theconnector may be programmed to record parameters of the treatment, whichmay be evaluated post-treatment by a physician to verify that theprescription was applied and to judge its efficacy.

Thus, in various aspects, the present specification and drawings providea non-thermal plasma treatment device and a connector for a non-thermalplasma treatment device. The connector includes: a casing forming aninterior space and including a planar receiving surface; one or morealignment pegs attached to or integral with the casing, the one or morealignment pegs extending away from the interior space and beyond thereceiving surface; one or more magnets disposed substantially within theinterior space and approximate the receiving surface of the casing, theone or more magnets cooperating with the one or more alignment pegs, ametal plate of a plasma emitter device, and one or more holes of theplasma emitter device to form a magnetic latch assembly having a closedposition wherein the one or more magnets attract the metal plate and theone or more alignment pegs extend through the one or more holes tosecure the plasma emitter device against the receiving surface of thecasing; and, a first electrical contact electrically connected to apower supply of the plasma emitter device, the first electrical contactsupported by the casing and extending beyond the receiving surface, thefirst electrical contact being in electrical communication, when themagnetic latch assembly is in the closed position, with a firstcorresponding contact of one or more electrical contacts disposed on theplasma emitter device, such that the connector transmits an electriccurrent from the power supply to the plasma emitter device.

The magnetic latch assembly further may have an open position whereinthe plasma emitter device is detached from the connector, the one ormore magnets having a combined magnetic field of sufficient strength tomaintain the magnetic latch assembly in the closed position during atreatment using the plasma treatment device, and to allow a user of theplasma treatment device to intentionally detach the plasma emitterdevice from the connector. The casing further may include one or moreapertures disposed through the receiving surface, each magnet of the oneor more magnets extending through a corresponding aperture of the one ormore apertures; each magnet of the one or more magnets may include aplanar top surface that is coplanar with the receiving surface. The oneor more holes of the plasma emitter device may align with the one ormore alignment pegs only when the plasma emitter device is correctlyoriented with respect to the connector. The one or more alignment pegsmay include a first alignment peg having a first size and a secondalignment peg having a second size different from the first size.

The connector may further include a steel plate disposed within theinterior space at an end of the one or more magnets opposite thereceiving surface, the steel plate and the one or more magnets arrangedto form, with the metal plate of the plasma emitter device, a magneticcircuit that is self-shielding so as not to interfere with an electroniccircuit that produces plasma when the plasma treatment device is inoperation. The connector may include a second electrical contactelectrically connected to a controller of the plasma emitter device, thesecond electrical contact supported by the casing and extending beyondthe receiving surface, the second electrical contact being in electricalcommunication, when the magnetic latch assembly is in the closedposition, with a second corresponding contact of a plurality ofelectrical contacts, including the first corresponding contact, disposedon the plasma emitter device, such that the controller is able to readelectronic information stored on the plasma emitter device.

In another aspect, the present specification and drawings provide aplasma treatment device including a connector that includes: a casingthat mechanically supports a removably attachable plasma emitter device;one or more magnets disposed substantially within the casing andcooperating at least with a metal plate of the plasma emitter device toform a magnetic latch assembly having a closed position wherein the oneor more magnets attract the metal plate to secure the plasma emitterdevice against the casing; and, an electrical interface supported by thecasing and electrically connected to a power supply, the electricalinterface establishing an electrical connection, when the magnetic latchassembly is in the closed position, with the plasma emitter device, suchthat the connector transmits an electric current generated by the powersupply to the plasma emitter device. The plasma treatment device mayfurther include a controller electrically connected to the power supplyand to the electrical interface of the connector, the controllercomprising a processor and memory storing computer program instructionsthat, when executed, cause the controller to obtain, via the electricalconnection of the electrical interface to the plasma emitter device,electronic information from the plasma emitter device and perform one ormore actions based on the electronic information. The one or moreactions may include: determining whether the electronic informationincludes identifying information indicating that the plasma emitterdevice is an authorized device usable with the plasma treatment device;responsive to a determination that the electronic information includesthe identifying information, enable a user of the plasma treatmentdevice to perform a non-thermal plasma treatment using the plasmatreatment device with the plasma emitter device attached; and,responsive to a determination that the electronic information does notinclude the identifying information, prevent the user of the plasmatreatment device from performing the non-thermal plasma treatment usingthe plasma treatment device with the plasma emitter device attached. Theone or more actions may further include: determining that the electronicinformation includes a treatment protocol describing a non-thermalplasma treatment for a first patient; and, controlling the power supplyto cause the plasma emitter device to produce non-thermal plasma inaccordance with the treatment protocol.

The casing may include a planar receiving surface that contacts theplasma emitter device when the magnetic latch assembly is in the closedposition; a first magnet of the one or more magnets may include a planartop surface that is coplanar with the receiving surface. The casing mayinclude one or more alignment pegs that align with one or morecorresponding holes in the plasma emitter device when the plasma emitterdevice is correctly oriented with respect to the connector. The one ormore alignment pegs may include a first alignment peg having a firstsize and a second alignment peg having a second size different from thefirst size. The casing may define an interior space substantiallycontaining the one or more magnets, the connector further including asteel plate disposed within the interior space and cooperating with theone or more magnets and the plasma emitter device to form, when themagnetic latch assembly is in the closed position, a magnetic circuitthat is self-shielding so as not to interfere with an electronic circuitthat produces plasma when the plasma treatment device is in operation.

The specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made thereunto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the claims. Other variations are within the spirit of thepresent disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptibleto various modifications and alternative constructions, certainillustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have beendescribed above in detail. It should be understood, however, that thereis no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term“connected,” when unmodified and referring to physical connections, isto be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, orjoined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation ofranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthandmethod of referring individually to each separate value falling withinthe range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. The use of the term “set” (e.g., “a set of items”) or “subset”unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context, is to be construed asa nonempty collection comprising one or more members. Further, unlessotherwise noted or contradicted by context, the term “subset” of acorresponding set does not necessarily denote a proper subset of thecorresponding set, but the subset and the corresponding set may beequal.

Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B,and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” unless specifically statedotherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted by context, is otherwiseunderstood with the context as used in general to present that an item,term, etc., may be either A or B or C, or any nonempty subset of the setof A and B and C. For instance, in the illustrative example of a sethaving three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, andC” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets:{A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctivelanguage is not generally intended to imply that certain embodimentsrequire at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C eachto be present. In addition, unless otherwise noted or contradicted bycontext, the term “plurality” indicates a state of being plural (e.g.,“a plurality of items” indicates multiple items). The number of items ina plurality is at least two, but can be more when so indicated eitherexplicitly or by context.

Operations/actions of processes described herein can be performed in anysuitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. Processes described herein (or variationsand/or combinations thereof) may be performed under the control of oneor more computer systems configured with executable instructions and maybe implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or morecomputer programs or one or more applications) executing collectively onone or more processors, by hardware or combinations thereof. The codemay be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in theform of a computer program comprising a plurality of instructionsexecutable by one or more processors. The computer-readable storagemedium may be non-transitory. In some embodiments, the code is stored onset of one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media havingstored thereon executable instructions that, when executed (i.e., as aresult of being executed) by one or more processors of a computersystem, cause the computer system to perform operations describedherein. The set of non-transitory computer-readable storage media maycomprise multiple non-transitory computer-readable storage media and oneor more of individual non-transitory storage media of the multiplenon-transitory computer-readable storage media may lack all of the codewhile the multiple non-transitory computer-readable storage mediacollectively store all of the code. Further, in some examples, theexecutable instructions are executed such that different instructionsare executed by different processors. As an illustrative example, anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store instructions.Generally, different components of a computer system may have separateprocessors (e.g., a main CPU and a graphics processor unit), anddifferent processors may execute different subsets of the instructions.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments ofthe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essentialto the practice of the invention.

Embodiments of this disclosure are described herein; variations of thoseembodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artupon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilledartisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventorsintend for embodiments of the present disclosure to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the scopeof the present disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents ofthe subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted byapplicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the scopeof the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwiseclearly contradicted by context.

All publications, patent applications, and patents, and the subj ectmatter thereof, referenced herein are hereby incorporated by referenceto the same extent as if each reference were individually andspecifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were setforth in its entirety herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plasma treatment device comprising: a connectorcomprising: a casing that mechanically supports a removably attachableplasma emitter device; one or more magnets disposed within the casingand cooperating at least with a ferritic metal plate of the plasmaemitter device to form a magnetic latch assembly having a closedposition wherein the one or more magnets attract the metal plate tosecure the plasma emitter device against the casing; and an electricalinterface supported by the casing and electrically connected to a powersupply, the electrical interface establishing an electrical connection,when the magnetic latch assembly is in the closed position, with theplasma emitter device, such that the connector transmits an electriccurrent generated by the power supply to the plasma emitter device. 2.The plasma treatment device of claim 1, further comprising a controllerelectrically connected to the power supply and to the electricalinterface of the connector, the controller comprising a processor andmemory storing computer program instructions that, when executed, causethe controller to obtain, via the electrical connection of theelectrical interface to the plasma emitter device, electronicinformation from the plasma emitter device and perform one or moreactions based on the electronic information.
 3. The plasma treatmentdevice of claim 2, wherein the one or more actions comprise: determiningwhether the electronic information includes identifying informationindicating that the plasma emitter device is an authorized device usablewith the plasma treatment device; responsive to a determination that theelectronic information includes the identifying information, enable auser of the plasma treatment device to perform a non-thermal plasmatreatment using the plasma treatment device with the plasma emitterdevice attached; and responsive to a determination that the electronicinformation does not include the identifying information, prevent theuser of the plasma treatment device from performing the non-thermalplasma treatment using the plasma treatment device with the plasmaemitter device attached.
 4. The plasma treatment device of claim 2,wherein the one or more actions comprise: determining that theelectronic information includes a treatment protocol describing anon-thermal plasma treatment for a first patient; and controlling thepower supply to cause the plasma emitter device to produce non-thermalplasma in accordance with the treatment protocol.
 5. The plasmatreatment device of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a planarreceiving surface that contacts the plasma emitter device when themagnetic latch assembly is in the closed position.
 6. The plasmatreatment device of claim 5, wherein a first magnet of the one or moremagnets comprises a planar top surface that is coplanar with thereceiving surface.
 7. The plasma treatment device of claim 1, whereinthe casing comprises one or more alignment pegs that align with one ormore corresponding holes in the plasma emitter device when the plasmaemitter device is correctly oriented with respect to the connector. 8.The plasma treatment device of claim 7, wherein the one or morealignment pegs include a first alignment peg having a first size and asecond alignment peg having a second size different from the first size.9. The plasma treatment device of claim 1, wherein the casing defines aninterior space substantially containing the one or more magnets.
 10. Theplasma treatment device of claim 9, wherein the connector furthercomprises a steel plate disposed within the interior space of the casingand cooperating with the one or more magnets and the plasma emitterdevice to form, when the magnetic latch assembly is in the closedposition, a magnetic circuit that is self-shielding so as not tointerfere with an electronic circuit that produces plasma when theplasma treatment device is in operation.
 11. The plasma treatment deviceof claim 9, wherein the casing comprises a planar receiving surface anda first magnet of the one or more magnets comprises a planar top surfacethat is coplanar with the receiving surface, the receiving surface andthe top surface of the first magnet contacting a planar magnetic surfaceof the plasma emitter device when the magnetic latch assembly is in theclosed position.
 12. The plasma treatment device of claim 11, whereinthe connector further comprises one or more alignment pegs attached toor integral with the casing, the one or more alignment pegs extendingaway from the interior space and beyond the receiving surface andpassing through corresponding holes in the plasma emitter device toalign the plasma emitter device relative to the connector when themagnetic latch assembly is in the closed position.
 13. The plasmatreatment device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic latch assembly furtherhas an open position wherein the plasma emitter device is detached fromthe connector, the one or more magnets having a combined magnetic fieldof sufficient strength to maintain the magnetic latch assembly in theclosed position during a treatment using the plasma treatment device,and to allow a user of the plasma treatment device to intentionallydetach the plasma emitter device from the connector.
 14. The plasmatreatment device of claim 3, wherein the one or more actions furthercomprise: determining that the electronic information includes atreatment protocol describing a non-thermal plasma treatment for a firstpatient; and controlling the power supply to cause the plasma emitterdevice to produce non-thermal plasma in accordance with the treatmentprotocol.